Calandrinia balonensis
Parakeelya
Calandrinia, or Parakeelya, are one of Australia's few native succulents with the entire family endemic to Australia. Australian Calandrinia are unrelated to other Calandrinia from the rest of the world and the name will supposedly be changed soon with further research. Found in every state and almost every type of environment, though there are many more varieties in the arid and semi-arid areas specifically. Some species are yet to be described or even discovered but there are roughly 50 recognised today. Parakeelya are mostly annual or short lived perennials. They can be as small as 1cm at full size to 1m. They grow in rosettes, often branching, leaves often appear irregularly arranged. The most common and widespread species have longer narrow leaves often with a groove in the middle. Others can be far more diverse and interesting. Leaves are usually green after rainfall and change colours (brown-grey, yellow & red most commonly) with sun and water stress. Flowers are most often pink but can be, or have patches of white, purple or yellow as well.
Contributed by @Addict
-
Full sun
-
Occasional watering
-
Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)
-
Light and free draining
Common name
Parakeelya
Latin name
Calandrinia balonensis
type
Succulent
family
Montiaceae
ph
5.0 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral
-
Light
Full sun
-
Frost
Frost Hardy: 23F (-5°C)
-
Soil
Light and free draining
-
Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
-
Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
0.15 M
0.25 M
Calandrinia balonensis
Calandrinia, or Parakeelya, are one of Australia's few native succulents with the entire family endemic to Australia. Australian Calandrinia are unrelated to other Calandrinia from the rest of the world and the name will supposedly be changed soon with further research. Found in every state and almost every type of environment, though there are many more varieties in the arid and semi-arid areas specifically. Some species are yet to be described or even discovered but there are roughly 50 recognised today. Parakeelya are mostly annual or short lived perennials. They can be as small as 1cm at full size to 1m. They grow in rosettes, often branching, leaves often appear irregularly arranged. The most common and widespread species have longer narrow leaves often with a groove in the middle. Others can be far more diverse and interesting. Leaves are usually green after rainfall and change colours (brown-grey, yellow & red most commonly) with sun and water stress. Flowers are most often pink but can be, or have patches of white, purple or yellow as well.
Propagation by seed
From Early Spring TO Mid Spring
Fill a seed tray with seed compost,water and allow to drain.Sprinkle seeds over the surface allowing roughly 25mm space between seeds and cover with a thin layer of compost. Put tray in a clear polythene bag and place on a windowsill. When seedlings show remove plastic bag.When the second pair of leaves appear on the seedlings thin out to 50mm spacing by removing the weakest looking plants. After 2 or 3 weeks and when danger of frost has passed plants can then be planted outside into required position.
Planting
From Early Summer TO Early Summer
Plant Portulaca outdoors in early Summer in any well drained soil. They thrive in full sun and named strains will put on a bright display, even in poor summers.
Addict